"If we get involved now, wouldn't it be just like going against the Federation fifty years ago! Going against the tide!"
"We haven't even stepped into the Security Bureau's doorway, and if we get kicked out now, our families will beat us to death!"
Upon hearing his companion's words, Nan Yi yelled, "What do you know!"
"Adversity reveals true friendship!"
"Haven't we always looked down on those who are swayed by the wind? Now that Officer Fang Ze is in trouble, if we start to shrink back, how are we any different from them?"
"Only at times , if we support him, will Officer Fang Ze treat us as his own!"
"Besides! It is very difficult for Officer Fang Ze to solve the case now, but with us joining, wouldn't it become much easier?"
"An extra person means extra strength!"
"As for, if we truly fail and get killed by our families... hahaha... If you guys don't go, I'll kill you right now!"
And so, another round of miserable screams echoed from the garden...
Meanwhile, in the detention room.
Fang Ze was "slurping" noodles at the table while observing the demure girl beside him: Zhixi.
"Have you had dinner?"
The girl glanced at Fang Ze expressionlessly upon hearing his question and shook her head.
Fang Ze asked, "Want to eat together?"
The girl shook her head again.
Fang Ze asked, "Aren't you hungry?"
The girl shook her head once more.
Fang Ze blinked, "Can't you do anything but shake your head?"
This time, the girl clearly hesitated for a long time but eventually shook her head again.
Fang Ze laughed, finding the girl more interesting than her sister.
As he thought this, Fang Ze continued to eat his noodles and asked, "Your sister said you know Qiu Yue, and you even saw her in contact with some people. What's that about?"
Upon hearing Fang Ze's words, the girl slowly said, "My sister and I are from Miaohua City, a subordinate city of Emerald City. My sister was identified as having Awakening Ability when she was young, while I... did not."
"So, she has been practicing Martial Arts and nurturing her body since she was a child as an elite of our family. And I... had to learn to plant and care for flowers from a young age to support the family."
"Miaohua City's main specialty is a variety of flowers and sprouts, among which is a particularly beautiful one called 'Bride'."
"True to its name, when the flower blooms, it looks as delicate and beautiful as a bride, elegant in its bright red."
"Director Qiu Yue really likes this flower, so she always orders from us."
"I often deliver flowers to her. So occasionally, I have seen her meeting with some people."
Fang Ze expressed interest with an "Oh?" and asked, "So, who all did you see?"
The girl said without expression, "There's Bi Wenyao from Solar Terms Tower. Zhou Yun from Moon Phase Gang. Fu Ming from Qingfeng Street. And... Minister Qianfeng from the Supervisory Department of the Governing Hall of Emerald City."
At the girl's words, Fang Ze was stunned for a moment, then gave her a slightly strange look before saying, "You observe so carefully? And, you actually recognize all of them?"
The girl said, "I wasn't valued by my family since I was young, and at any events, I was always outside the crowd, so gradually I came to enjoy observing."
"As for knowing who they are... in Emerald City, how could you not know the local snakes when doing business?"
Fang Ze looked at her, about to speak.
The girl spoke up, "When you came in earlier, although you walked in front with apparent trust, your body was tense, ready to be alert at any moment. This indicates that you don't fully trust us."
"Yet, despite your distrust, your steps were firm, with no hesitation, and you didn't frequently turn back to check on us. This indicates that you likely have other ways to observe our actions."
"After entering the lounge, my sister felt it was very clean, but I thought your lounge was too clean, spotless, everything neatly piled up together. It didn't look like it's maintained that way all the time but rather like someone specifically cleaned up."
"After we entered, a Black Shadow silently moved from the table's shadow to your feet and merged into your shadow. If it's not your pet or servant, then you better be careful."
"When you first chatted with my sister, although you acted carefree, your body was clearly a bit stiff, and the position of your foot on the table wasn't quite natural, indicating that this is not your usual state and that you were just testing my sister."
"Even when you later stood up, saying you remembered my sister and accepted her, your body remained tense."
"Only after my sister said she was willing to join the Special Case Team and advance or retreat with you, did your joints seem less stiff, and your body visibly relaxed, indicating that me and my sister only then started to gain your preliminary trust."
After saying this, the girl looked at Fang Ze and asked, "Am I right, Officer Fang Ze?"
Fang Ze looked at the girl, taken aback.
He felt a little creeped out.
Perhaps noticing Fang Ze's alertness again, the girl said without expression, "Officer Fang Ze, you don't need to worry too much about me."
"In this world, where power reigns supreme, ordinary people... ha..."
If Fang Ze hadn't felt the girl's resentment before, he most certainly did now.
It seemed that because she lacked the talent for the Awakening Ability since childhood and was neglected by her family, she harbored a great deal of resentment...
As a result, this led to her seemingly nonchalant and out of tune with the world demeanor, yet also her contradictory desire to prove herself.